There are more Log photos from Toukley on http://www.flickr.com/photos/72192268@N00/sets/72157620664359294/
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
One Step Closer
The IC nationals at Toukley in Winter? Well it was the best time for a lot of what seem like part time canoe sailors to get together. And despite three weeks of rain and excess or little wind before hand we ended up with almost perfect weather. The Champs were held as part of the Toukley SC annual winter regatta and they did a great job.
Ten ICs attended, half were new rules boats. One did not quite get finished in time and a couple of others could have benefitted from more time for little details.
The lead up weather meant I only had the one outing with the modified rig, but fortunately all worked pretty well and the boat showed a slight improvement in upwind performance without detracting from its great downwind speed.
But not good enough. Hayden has put more effort in and has vastly superior upwind speed to everyone. He always lead by at least a minute at the first windward mark and although I could get some back downwind I never really got close enough to threaten him. Alex Kalin was sailing Steve Clark's Josie and he had upwind speed over me in several races, but in all but two I was able to get past him downwind.
So I finished second.
We had a variety of wind strengths all from the W and NW. Some tricky shifts but all manageable. The heaviest race was the last when it blew up to 20 consistantly. And as only the canoes were left racing we had a clear go. A few drop outs made the track lonely but it was rewarding to get around well, making all the gybes.
I was happy with the boat and seemed to sail it pretty well. No capsizes until the final mark in the final race when a big gust came through, some say 25kt, as I was rounding from square to upwind. Despite windward heal, on the seat early and roundings gently I was blown over with the sheet loose and sail flapping, I thought it was a soft swim but the other three canoes left out there all went down in the same squall, even Hayden who was reaching to he shore after finishing nearby. So it must have been a good puff.
I think I can get a little more with some fine tuning of battens and cunningham system, not sure if I can get the cat rig up to Hayden's speed though? Its a long while between races to find out.
Ten ICs attended, half were new rules boats. One did not quite get finished in time and a couple of others could have benefitted from more time for little details.
The lead up weather meant I only had the one outing with the modified rig, but fortunately all worked pretty well and the boat showed a slight improvement in upwind performance without detracting from its great downwind speed.
But not good enough. Hayden has put more effort in and has vastly superior upwind speed to everyone. He always lead by at least a minute at the first windward mark and although I could get some back downwind I never really got close enough to threaten him. Alex Kalin was sailing Steve Clark's Josie and he had upwind speed over me in several races, but in all but two I was able to get past him downwind.
So I finished second.
We had a variety of wind strengths all from the W and NW. Some tricky shifts but all manageable. The heaviest race was the last when it blew up to 20 consistantly. And as only the canoes were left racing we had a clear go. A few drop outs made the track lonely but it was rewarding to get around well, making all the gybes.
I was happy with the boat and seemed to sail it pretty well. No capsizes until the final mark in the final race when a big gust came through, some say 25kt, as I was rounding from square to upwind. Despite windward heal, on the seat early and roundings gently I was blown over with the sheet loose and sail flapping, I thought it was a soft swim but the other three canoes left out there all went down in the same squall, even Hayden who was reaching to he shore after finishing nearby. So it must have been a good puff.
I think I can get a little more with some fine tuning of battens and cunningham system, not sure if I can get the cat rig up to Hayden's speed though? Its a long while between races to find out.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
First time in 6 months
First time on the canoe in 6 months.
Some short mixed fleet races at Balmoral. In the light stuff the IC was the fastest there. An old 49er sailed by old friend and NS competitor Rob gave some competition, but I managed to get past both times upwind.
The boat feels much better than before. Especially upwind where it was a bit lacking. The tight wires keep the leach well under control and the sail depth is much more reasonable and manageable.
Everything stayed put and I felt comfortable in the boat even though I only got half way out on the seat a couple of times.
Back again next saturday for another go with more wind forecast.
Some short mixed fleet races at Balmoral. In the light stuff the IC was the fastest there. An old 49er sailed by old friend and NS competitor Rob gave some competition, but I managed to get past both times upwind.
The boat feels much better than before. Especially upwind where it was a bit lacking. The tight wires keep the leach well under control and the sail depth is much more reasonable and manageable.
Everything stayed put and I felt comfortable in the boat even though I only got half way out on the seat a couple of times.
Back again next saturday for another go with more wind forecast.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Another Nationals
The class has moved the 2009 Nationals from Adelaide/easter to NSW in June, so I have incentive to get the canoe out again.
I have decided to get the sail modified to better match the added stiffness achieved with the staying added last year. The sail had had the luff curve reduced and will get a bolt rope. The mast gets a sail track and will be extended 120mm to make max height. (I measured along the mast when I built the boat while measurer Hayden measures vertically)
A few small mods to the carriage to improve tacking and I'll be ready to go again soon after the moth season ends on 25/4.
Even though I have alot of sorting to do on my new moth the prospect of winter sailing a moth is less tempting than the canoe. Knee deep water does not seem as cold as chest deep water.
It will be good to have another canoe regatta and it looks like we will have maybe 6 new rules boats racing plus several OD Nethercotts.
I have decided to get the sail modified to better match the added stiffness achieved with the staying added last year. The sail had had the luff curve reduced and will get a bolt rope. The mast gets a sail track and will be extended 120mm to make max height. (I measured along the mast when I built the boat while measurer Hayden measures vertically)
A few small mods to the carriage to improve tacking and I'll be ready to go again soon after the moth season ends on 25/4.
Even though I have alot of sorting to do on my new moth the prospect of winter sailing a moth is less tempting than the canoe. Knee deep water does not seem as cold as chest deep water.
It will be good to have another canoe regatta and it looks like we will have maybe 6 new rules boats racing plus several OD Nethercotts.
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